flit

verb

ˈflit 

flitted; flitting

intransitive verb

1

: to pass quickly or abruptly from one place or condition to another

2

archaic : alter, shift

3

: to move in an erratic fluttering manner

flit noun

Synonyms

• dance
• dart
• flick
• flicker
• flirt
• flitter
• flutter
• zip

Examples of flit in a Sentence

butterflies flitting around the garden

The hummingbird flitted from flower to flower.

She was always flitting around the kitchen.

Recent Examples on the Web

Endemic species of long, segmented bristle worms and tiny crustaceans graze on bacteria mats and flit among fields of chemosynthetic tube worms, growing thick as grass. —Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025

During a hike through Robinsons Island, visitors can spot boreal chickadees, red crossbills and yellow warblers flitting along the branches, while the refuge’s many beaches are perfect for spotting shorebirds like the willet and greater yellowlegs. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

There’s a window slightly overhead where pedestrians flit past. —E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2024

With South of Midnight, Compulsion Games (Contrast, We Happy Few) meaningfully engages with the complex history of its Deep South setting, constantly flitting between the fantastical and the real, comedy and tragedy. —Sarah Thwaites, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flitten, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flytjask to move, Old English flēotan to float

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flit

• do a moonlight flit

Rhymes for flit

• bit
• brit
• britt
• chit
• fit
• grit
• hit
• it
• kitt
• knit
• lit
• mitt

Kids Definition

flit

verb

ˈflit 

flitted; flitting

: to move or progress in a quick irregular manner

flit noun